UCI suspends 4th Astana rider for doping positive

AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) The International Cycling Union has provisionally suspended a fourth rider from Kazakhstan linked to the Astana team for a positive doping test.

The UCI announced the case against Victor Okishev as its license commission reviews whether Astana meets the ethical criteria to keep its status as a top-tier team next season.

The star rider for Kazakh government-backed Astana is Vincenzo Nibali of Italy, the Tour de France champion.

The UCI says Okishev tested positive for an anabolic steroid at the Asian Championships in his home country in May.

Okishev, who rides for Astana's lower-tier development squad, won the under-23 time trial.

In recent weeks, the UCI has provisionally suspended Astana riders Maxim and Valentin Iglinskiy for testing positive for EPO, and Ilya Davidenok for steroids.